https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_motion#
The philosophy of movement is a sub-area within process philosophy that treats processes as movements. It studies processes as flows, folds, and fields in historical patterns of centripetal, centrifugal, tensional, and elastic motion.[45] See Thomas Nail's philosophy of movement and process materialism.
Thomas Nail （b 1979)
Works
Nail's published work is divided into two primary books series. The first series is composed of six “core” books, each written with a similar organization on five major areas of philosophy: ontology, politics, aesthetics, science, and nature. Each book provides a theory, history, and contemporary case study of the kinetic method. The purpose of each book is to redefine its subject area from a kinetic or process materialist perspective.[6]
The Figure of the Migrant (2015) and Theory of the Border (2016) develop a theory and history of what he terms “kinopolitics” based on the study of patterns of social motion.[11] Theory of the Image (2019) develops a “kinesthetics” of moving images in the arts.[12] Theory of the Object (2021) develops a “kinemetrics” of moving objects in the sciences.[13] Theory of the Earth (2021) develops a “geokinetics” of nature in motion, and Being and Motion (2018) develops an original historical ontology of motion.[7]
The second series is composed of several books, each written on a major historical precursor to the philosophy motion.[6] This includes Lucretius, Karl Marx, and Virginia Woolf. Each book offers a kinetic interpretation and close reading of one of these figures as philosophers who made motion their fundamental starting point. They include Lucretius I: An Ontology of Motion, 2018;[14] Lucretius II: An Ethics of Motion, 2020;[15] Lucretius III: A History of Motion, 2022;[16] Marx in Motion: A New Materialist Marxism, 2020.
Bibliography
- Returning to Revolution: Deleuze, Guattari and Zapatismo (Edinburgh University Press, 2012, 2015), ISBN 978-0748655861 (hardcover), ISBN 978-0748699797 (paperback)
- The Figure of the Migrant (Stanford University Press, 2015), ISBN 978-0804796583 (paperback), ISBN 978-0804787178 (hardcover)
- Theory of the Border (Oxford University Press, 2016), ISBN 978-0190618650(paperback), ISBN 978-0190618643 (hardcover)
- Lucretius I: An Ontology of Motion (Edinburgh University Press, 2018), ISBN 978-1474434676 (paperback), ISBN 978-1474434669 (hardcover)
- Being and Motion (Oxford University Press, 2018), ISBN 978-0190908911(paperback), ISBN 978-0190908904 (hardcover)
- Theory of the Image (Oxford University Press, 2019), ISBN 978-0190050085(paperback), ISBN 978-0190924034 (hardcover)
- Lucretius II: An Ethics of Motion (Edinburgh University Press, 2020), ISBN 978-1474466646 (paperback), ISBN 978-1474466639 (hardcover)
- Marx in Motion: A New Materialist Marxism (Oxford University Press, 2020), ISBN 978-0197526484 (paperback), ISBN 978-0197526477 (hardcover)
- Theory of the Earth (Stanford University Press, 2021), ISBN 978-1503627550(paperback), ISBN 978-1503614956 (hardcover)
- Theory of the Object (Edinburgh University Press, 2021), ISBN 978-1474487931 (paperback), ISBN 978-1474487924 (hardcover)
- Lucretius III: A History of Motion (Edinburgh University Press, 2022), ISBN 978-1474464246 (paperback), ISBN 978-1474464239 (hardcover)
- Matter and Motion: A Brief History of Kinetic Materialism (Edinburgh University Press, 2023)
The Ontology of Motion (Thomas Nail, 2018)
Please tell me what you know about Thomas Nail’s philosophy of movement. (ChatGPT, 2025-3-15)
Thomas Nail, a contemporary philosopher, has developed a comprehensive framework known as the “philosophy of movement,” which positions motion as the foundational aspect of reality. This perspective challenges traditional Western philosophical emphasis on static being and unchanging essences, proposing instead that processes and movement are primary.
Core Concepts:
• Process Materialism: Nail advocates for a materialist process philosophy, asserting that reality consists of dynamic processes rather than static substances or essences. This viewpoint suggests that all entities are in a state of continuous flux, and their identities are defined by their movements and interactions.
• Patterns of Motion: He introduces the idea that various phenomena, from natural events to human activities, can be understood as patterns of motion. By analyzing these patterns, we can gain insights into the underlying processes that constitute reality.
Major Works:
• “The Philosophy of Movement: An Introduction” (2024): In this work, Nail synthesizes his extensive research on motion, arguing that understanding movement is essential for addressing contemporary challenges such as climate change, mass migration, and the pervasive influence of digital media. He critiques the traditional philosophical bias toward stasis and explores the implications of prioritizing movement in our understanding of the world.
• “Being and Motion” (2018): This book offers a historical ontology of motion, examining how movement has been conceptualized throughout philosophical history and proposing a new framework that places motion at the center of ontological inquiry.
• “Theory of the Border” (2016): Here, Nail explores the concept of borders through the lens of motion, analyzing how borders are not just static lines but dynamic processes that regulate movement and define spaces.
Influence and Applications:
Nail’s philosophy of movement has interdisciplinary applications, influencing fields such as political theory, aesthetics, science studies, and environmental philosophy. By emphasizing motion, his work offers novel perspectives on issues like migration, ecological change, and the nature of objects and images.
Through his extensive body of work, Thomas Nail provides a paradigm shift in philosophical thought, encouraging a reevaluation of how we perceive and engage with a world in constant motion.
For a more in-depth understanding, you might find this lecture by Thomas Nail insightful:
Thomas Nail’s PhD thesis was inspired by Deleuze and Guattari. In what ways is he influenced by poststructuralism? (ChatGPT, 2025-3-15)
Thomas Nail’s philosophical framework is significantly influenced by poststructuralist thinkers, particularly Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari. His engagement with their ideas has shaped his approach to movement, politics, and materialism.
Influence of Deleuze and Guattari:
• PhD Dissertation: Nail’s doctoral research focused on political revolution in the works of Deleuze and Guattari, alongside the Zapatista uprising in Chiapas, Mexico. This study laid the groundwork for his first book, “Returning to Revolution: Deleuze, Guattari, and Zapatismo,” highlighting the impact of their poststructuralist perspectives on his thought.
• Constructivism and Radical Politics: In his article “Constructivism and the Future Anterior of Radical Politics,” Nail draws upon Deleuze and Guattari’s ideas to propose strategies for political transformation, emphasizing multi-centered approaches and participatory organization.
Poststructuralist Themes in Nail’s Work:
• Critique of Fixed Structures: Aligning with poststructuralist critiques of stable structures and identities, Nail’s philosophy emphasizes fluidity and change, challenging traditional notions of static being.
• Focus on Difference and Becoming: Reflecting poststructuralist themes, his work prioritizes processes of becoming and the importance of difference over fixed essences.
Through these influences, Nail’s philosophy of movement embodies poststructuralist principles, offering a dynamic lens to understand reality and political structures.
